You’ve probably seen them. The Director’s Cuts we wean. Whether it’s from Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice director cut. Or the director cut that actually inspired this article. The Death Stranding’s Director’s Cut. They’re ever so present in the movie industry, and nowadays they’re also part of the gaming industry. So, let’s take a closer look at them. What’s so special about them. Are they a good idea in the first place? And who are some of the best director’s cuts out there?
But first… Let’s take a moment to pay our respect to the game that started it all.
Death Stranding Director’s Cut… What’s It All About?
From legendary game creator Hideo Kojima comes a genre-defying experience. But now expanded in this definitive DIRECTOR’S CUT.
And in the future, a mysterious event known as the Death Stranding has opened a doorway between the living and the dead. It’s also leading to grotesque creatures from the afterlife roaming the fallen world marred by a desolate society.
And as Sam Bridges, your mission is to deliver hope to humanity. How? By connecting the last survivors of a decimated America. Can you reunite the shattered world, one step at a time? But what do you get in the director cut? First and foremost, there are the selections from ‘The Art of DEATH STRANDING’” Digital Book. Next, there are the backpack Patches, Power Gloves and so much more.
Death Stranding’s Director Cut is available for purchase here.
And if you’re interested to see other director’s cuts, then head out here. We have plenty of them.
Death Stranding Director’s Cut VS Other Director Cuts
You’d thought we’d stay clear from the movies, didn’t you? Well, we’re not. However, we did have a similar article a couple of months ago. We debated if video game reboots are a good idea. You can read all about it here. But when it comes to the director’s cuts, we’re somewhere in the middle. Yes, some consider them to be an easy cash grab for the director (or the studio). While others consider it to be a more realized vision of the director.
A vision that was either interrupted or micro-managed by a third party. Or perhaps it’s has a different edit, scene, and visual style from the original final cut. But regardless of you’re more pros or more cons about the idea, there’s no denying that a director’s cut gives the fans plenty more to talk about. But hey. One clear-cut advantage of directors’ cuts is the fact that they premiere on DVD or Blu-ray. And therefore, avoid the censorship restrictions of the Motion Picture Association of America.
Director’s Cut: From The Wild Bunch To Death Stranding
But it was in 1974 that the term “director’s cut” began to acquire the currency it has now. Something more than simply the initial rough cut approved by the director. And in that year, the film programmer Jerry Harvey screened Sam Peckinpah’s cut of his 1969 film. We’re talking about The Wild Bunch of course, and things are never been the same since.
But we wouldn’t be IndieGala if we didn’t mention some cool director cuts. Movie director cuts that is. Which ones made the cut? Find out here.
„Apocalypse Now,” directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Here’s a fun fact. The first time Francis Ford Coppola gave his 1979 masterpiece “Apocalypse Now” a director’s cut, it was for the 2001 release of “Apocalypse Now Redux.” Coppola and the editor Walter Murch added 49 minutes of footage in the cut. And that included extended scenes with Colonel Kurtz of course. But the cut also has 20 minutes of footage shaved from “Redux”. And a 4K restoration was added to the visuals for good measure. It’s good and it’s worth the watch.
“Blade Runner,” directed by Ridley Scott
Who doesn’t love the Blade Runner director’s cut? Or rather, The Final cut as Ridley Scott likes to call it. Well, in the 2007’s cut Ridley Scott had full control over the making. And it had one minute added (117 minutes in total) to the 1992’s cut that nobody seemed to care about back in the 90s. Not to mention it has sound and visual effects restorations. Also, the inclusion of the full unicorn dream sequence. Oh, and more violence as well.
„Heaven’s Gate,” directed by Michael Cimino
When it premiered, Heaven’s Gate was named one of the worst movies ever. Not to mention it was a financial failure, and it also ended the career of Cimino. But In 2012, MGM released the digitally restored and 216 minutes long version of the movie. And The Criterion Collection it on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on November 20, 2012. This version was personally supervised by Michael Cimino and Joann Carelli and it’s a must-watch for every fan of the movie. Yes, those exist, and they’re singing praises to the movie now. Something nobody dared to do back in the early 80s.
“The New World,” directed by Terrence Malick
There are three known versions of Terrence Malick’s movie The New World. And Malick wasn’t satisfied with the first two. But the extended cut of 2005’s “The New World” that runs a whopping 170-plus minute is something to behold. Why? Well, for one, Malick compiled this version without studio influence from distributor New Line. Not to mention it offers plenty more of the movie’s gorgeous period costumes and lush art direction. Which are truly amazing we have to admit. But this is one of the best Terrence Malick movies out there and it’s worth the shot. Regardless of which version you’ll choose.
Director’s Cut: Which One Is Your Favorite?
Let us know all about it. We’d love to know. Hit that comment section and tell us all about it.
